I know the girl in this video. I will tell you my incredible story of a divine encounter below the clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kIfFTP595Q

About 12 years ago, this girl was on the cover of "Focus On The Family" magazine.  She lived in California and I lived in Washington State.  I read the article and said to the Lord, "I have a few things to say to this girl".  Two months later we were in Franklin, TN at a coffee shop.  There was no one else in the shop except a couple of employees.  We were at the counter ordering when the door opened and in walked this girl.  She walked right up to me and said, "where you from?"  I knew the Lord had set this meeting up and felt enveloped in His presence.  As it turned out she had just moved to Tenneessee and didn't know many people.  So after she ordered, we all sat down together and I told her everything that was on my heart.  She ended up hanging out with us the rest of the afternoon as my daughter and her were about the same age.  We were in our motorhome and we drove her home that night.   

Truly, I did not have faith to believe God would do such a thing... I never thought it would happen, especially given the fact that it was only two months.  He has done this so many times in my life.  There is no way that could just happen!  I think He knew I was gonna say that, and had everything all planned out beforehand.  I wouldn't even be surprised if His Spirit moved me to say that just so He could WOW me again.  WOW!!!! 

So what do you think of this true story? 

Just thought this was funny and wanted to share it with you:  borrowed from The Good Clean Funnies List ______________________________________________________________________________

Honorable Secretary of Agriculture

Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

My friend, Ed Peterson, over at Wells, Iowa, received a check for $1,000 from the government for not raising hogs.  So, I want to go into the "not raising hogs" business next year.  What I want to know is, in your opinion, what is the best kind of farm not to raise hogs on, and what is the best breed of hogs not to raise? I want to be sure that I approach this endeavor in keeping with all governmental policies. I would prefer not to raise razorbacks, but if that is not a good breed not to raise, then I will just as gladly not raise Yorkshires or Durocs.

As I see it, the hardest part of this program will be in keeping an accurate inventory of how many hogs I haven't raised. 

My friend, Peterson, is very joyful about the future of the business. He has been raising hogs for twenty years or so, and the best he ever made on them was $422 in 1968, until this year when he got your check for $1,000 for not raising hogs.

If I get $1,000 for not raising 50 hogs, will I get $2,000 for not raising 100 hogs? I plan to operate on a small scale at first, holding myself down to about 4,000 hogs not raised, which will mean about $80,000 the first year. Then I can afford an airplane.

Now another thing, these hogs I will not raise will not eat 100,000 bushels of corn. I understand that you also pay farmers for not raising corn and wheat. Will I qualify for payments for not raising wheat and corn not to feed the 4,000 hogs I am not going to raise?

Also, I am considering the "not milking cows" business, so send me any information you have on that too.  In view of these circumstances, you understand that I will be totally unemployed and plan to file for unemployment and food stamps.  Be assured you will have my vote in the coming election.

Patriotically Yours,

PS: Would you please notify me when you plan to distribute more free cheese.

Here are a bunch of pictures for you all.  We went to Michigan to pay a visit to our eldest daughter and family.  Gosh it was hard to say good-bye!

The Family, house in background.

Upcloser

Got Stitch? (Susan's Home Business)

 

 

 

Us at Dinner (Trevor is at a school dance)

Casey eating Ribs

Joe wants this dog.

Casey's not so crazy about this dog.

Casey wants this dog

Susie & Me

Joe & Me

A house I loved in Michigan

Some Cool Metal Art using Salvaged Metal = "Iron Ivy"

(fish is made using spoons & a coffee pot)

(shovel face made using spark plug wires for hair & fuses for eyes)

At Nicholas Football Game - Grandpa & ma with Grandsons

Grandpa & Trevor (a 6'2" 15.5 year old)

Dinner with old friends, Dave & Karen, who moved to Michigan a couple years ago

Cascade Mountain Range

Boy was it hard to say goodbye!  If only we could be closer!  It was a good visit!

  Everything seems so complicated these days.  I long for the simple days......am I alone?

  Yesterday I went out to the garage to take the Corvette to run a few errands.  The steering wheel would not turn and there was a message to take it for service as the steering wheel was locked.  That is rather difficult since you cannot steer.  So today a tow truck came and had to get it out of the garage and carry it away.  You will see in the pictures that it was not totally on the trailer as you could not steer it and the wheels were  turned slightly.  Enjoy.... we haven't gotten her back home yet.

Tom, Me, Dad at "The Museum of Flight" last Saturday

Aircraft Types

Early AirMail Truck & AirMail Plane

Aero Car

Tom and Dad (Notice Dad is holding in his stomach for Mom)

Moon Rock

Australian Plane just taxing around runway

Me in Cockpit

Boeing Airplane Company In The Early Days

My Dad in Space!!!!

Kierra, Dad and Mom, Kierra

Mom's new car!!!!

Both 81 and married for 61 years.  Met at 16.  Don't they look good?

Mrs. Riis and her husband Ken (she said to call her 'Audrey')

Myself, Audrey, and Caryn

Caryn, Tom's sister, and I both had Mrs. Riis only Caryn was a year after me.  Yes, she is younger!

Here we are at table.  Audrey fixed an awesome grilled Salmon with a Cabernet Sauvignon Blackberry sauce.  Caryn brought a delicious potato casserole, and cake.  I brought a fruit salad and green specialty salad.  We all got "A's"!  BTW- Audrey gave me her recipe!!!

Guess who's feet these belong to?  Look below and see if that helps.

Yep!  There really is a JR Barker.  We got to see him, touch him, and talk with him.  For real!!!

Things are getting even busier for the next month approximately.  But this weekend will be interesting and fun I think.  I plan to bring pictures home for posting.

THE PLAN:

Thursday, August 21, 2008 - 8:30 AM leave for Yakima, WA... spend time with Shar & Jim... eat lunch

                                          - 1:30 PM leave for Seattle, WA... arrive at Barkers @ 5:30 PM

                                          - 6:30PM arrive at my & Caryn's HS, cooking/sewing/home nursing, teacher's house

                                            for salmon dinner @ 6:30 PM  (it's been about 35 years)

                                          - back to Barkers for the night

   Friday, August 22, 2008 - 10AM arrive at Pastor G & Lil's house in Puyallup, WA for fellowship then out to

                                            lunch together (it's been about 16 years)

                                         - Friday evening arrive at Mom & Dad's in Everett, WA (hopefully see Josiah &

                                           Jessie & Baby)

Saturday, August 23, 2008 - Go to Museum of Flight with Dad and start trip home sometime in PM